Lake Espingo - Granges d'Astau

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A gentle descent after the exertions of the previous days. From the Col d’Espingo, the Lac d’Oô below accompanies us for a long while. Once at the stone bridge, don’t hesitate to make a short detour to the Auberge du Lac d’Oô, where you can enjoy the view of the great waterfall, which will help you forget, if only for a moment, the increasingly obvious and cruel shortage of water. The return to Les Granges d’Astau brings this getaway in one of the most beautiful spots in the Luchon area to a pleasant close.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Haute vallée d'Oô - Pic Perdiguère et Pic des Spijeoles

Details

n°3149231
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.84 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 72 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,746 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,457 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,727 ft
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Photos

Lake Espingo

Description of the walk

(S) Leave the refuge and head towards the Col d’Espingo, which you reach immediately.

(1) Begin the descent via a few hairpin bends and reach the junction with the GR®10.

GR® red and white markings

(2) Keep left to continue the descent, enjoying the view of Lac d'Oô stretching out below you all the way.

(3) Cross the small stone bridge over the Neste d'Oô on the left, then head back up to the inn, whose terrace offers a magnificent view of the large waterfall, which is always flowing.

(4) Return to the bridge.

(3) Turn left to begin the final descent, which ends in a long, level stretch from where you can admire, on the left, the waterfall known as the Chevelure de la Madeleine, cascading down from the Val d'Esquierry. Head towards Les Granges d'Astau and the car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,407 ft - Refuge d'Espingo
  2. 1 : mi 0.06 - alt. 6,447 ft - Col d'Espingo (1967m)
  3. 2 : mi 0.22 - alt. 6,257 ft - Junction °°GR®°°10
  4. 3 : mi 1.65 - alt. 4,885 ft - Footbridge - Neste d'Oô (rivière) - Affluent de l'One
  5. 4 : mi 1.77 - alt. 4,954 ft - Lake Oô - Refuge du Lac d'Oô
  6. E : mi 3.84 - alt. 3,727 ft - Les Granges d’Astau

Notes

See previous stages.

Worth a visit

Saint-Aventin Chapel at Les Granges d’Astau. Frescoes painted in 1952. Every year during the transhumance, the sheep are blessed in front of this chapel.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
leadrap
leadrap

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great route, very busy but not surprising given the time of year (15 August). We didn't regret arriving early, both for practical reasons (parking) and because it was already very busy.

The views are magnificent, and although the route is a bit challenging due to the elevation, it is entirely accessible and doable. Our only concern before setting off was whether the sections where we had to cross streams would be difficult or dangerous, but in the end, with the right footwear, there were no problems at all. The route is also very shaded, which was very pleasant in the heat.

We pushed on to Lake Saussat, which is very easy to reach from the Espingo refuge, then slept in a bivouac near Lake Espingo.

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droneaup
droneaup

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A descent in good weather, very busy between Oo and Astau. Markings are not essential, but they are few and far between and have almost faded away.

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Optirando
Optirando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Starting from the finish line, Lake Oô is magnificent. Lake Espingo, much further on, is inaccessible unless you’re properly equipped to tackle the snow. A top-notch hike! Magnificent views!

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Christian69210
Christian69210

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with very few difficulties for experienced walkers.
The route is clearly marked and it’s hard to go wrong.
The first part is very shaded, but above Lake Oô the route is more exposed to the sun.
A stunning viewpoint and a beautiful waterfall at the first lake
The last two lakes are in a magnificent setting.
It can get a bit busy, so set off early enough to avoid the crowds.

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Other walks in the area

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↔2.89 mi ↗+797 ft ↘-797 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Cazeaux-de-Larboust (Haute-Garonne)
A lovely, easy little walk from Les Granges de Labach. The route passes through the Col de la Coume, offering a pretty view of the Larboust valley, and on the other side, the Labach valley dominated by the Céciré. A few extra steps from the Col offer a splendid panorama of the Oô valley, dominated by the Spijeoles.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.